Tales of resurrection: PWC visits the 2024 Restoration Show

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For many British enthusiasts, the Classic Car & Restoration Show which takes place near Birmingham every March marks the start of a new show season. It seems appropriate that it should fall so near Easter, for the theme is one of death and rebirth. Much of the interest in that show stems from many cars being exhibited for the first or last time; many have just been restored after decades off the road, but others are being given a respectful send-off before they end up being broken for parts.

Talking of cars coming back from the brink of death, nowhere was that more apparent than in the 1957 Wolseley 6/90 displayed with the Wolseley Register. Several years ago, it was involved in a catastrophic accident which rendered it, anyone might have supposed, no better than scrap. One committed enthusiast purchased it, however, and after sourcing new panels from New Zealand, oversaw its restoration to an immaculate condition.

Walking among the clubs, the Jowett Car Club maintained its ever-high standard, with an especially energetic display which really embraced the restoration theme. Apart from a pre-war Long Two, it also exhibited two Bradfords in as-found and freshly-restored conditions, and an in-progress Javelin. The stand was a hive of activity as members undertook work on the various cars, and it was deservedly named Best Live Working Stand for the third year running.

The Austin Counties Car Club can also be relied on to get into the spirit of the show, and this year it displayed two A40 Somersets, restored and as-found, plus a rare 1946 Austin 16, which is in the process of being restored to a very high standard. That wasn't all—the club even recreated itself in miniature with a brace of Austin J40s. The unrestored J40 dates from the first six months of production and will therefore be preserved as is, so it might always serve as a valuable point of reference.

The Morgan Sports Car Club fielded some understated but very special cars. The 1948 4/4 was built in the midst of a steel shortage, when body construction was sometimes entrusted to the dealership, resulting in unique imitations of the factory style. Off the road since 1968, its restoration is now set to commence. Next to it was Ambrose Langley-Poole’s 1952 4/4 drophead, the Earl’s Court Show car, which remains thoroughly original.

The Ford Sidevalve Owners' Club also exhibited a very special vehicle. Its 1955 Popular pick-up is believed to be a one-off built by factory apprentices and was set to be restored by young enthusiast Jake Harvey. Another unique car appeared with the Allard Owners' Club: the J2 of Roger Hayes sported a very racy, one-off aluminium body by Performance Cars of London. It promises to be spectacular when finished.

Undoubtedly the most exotic car at the show was Dave Ward's Ruddspeed-converted right-hand drive 1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia SS, on the Alfa Romeo Owners' Club stand. It is just reaching the end of a thirteen-year restoration, which involved Ward making many panels himself. At the other extreme, Lewis Buchan's 1963 Reliant Regal starred with the Reliant Owners' Club. In 2021, it was discovered derelict and exposed to the elements in the Shetlands, but it is now nearly back on the road.

The Pride of Ownership Competition disappointingly featured only four pre-1970 cars and one pre-1960, but it was the oldest of the bunch, Colin Fidler's 1956 Austin A35, which was a deserving winner. A better spread of historic vehicles was to be found in the Barn Find Competition, which yielded some fascinating 1950s treasures, including a 1952 Austin Princess and Guy Loveridge’s horrendously decayed 1953 Lanchester 14. For many, the most interesting was Derek Drinkwater's very rare and badly-bruised 1950 Cadillac flower car, imported from America in 2015. It was a remarkable vehicle and was declared winner of the competition by popular vote.

For more information, follow this link to our report on PreWarCar.com.

Words and photographs: Zack Stiling
 

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